The sea, once it cast its spell upon you, holds you in its net of wonder forever…
(Jacques Cousteau)
Dave, co-director of CELL, headed out to sea on the vessel Tusen Takk (“a thousand thanks”) on Monday, October 2 on a 7 month climate action now (CAN) and ocean conservation odyssey that will span 13 states, 2 countries and over 3,000 nautical miles from Maine to Key West, Florida to the Bahamas and back again. With volunteer crew 
along the way, we are sailing into ports along the Eastern Seaboard offering CAN workshops informing people about climate and ocean pollution and, more importantly, about actions people can take to be part of the solution to the problems we face.
Tusen Takk is a 37′ Island Packet cutter-rigged sailboat outfitted with solar and wind power, a composting head, a composting system for food scraps, radar, marine charts that beckon the imagination of faraway places, and volunteer crew in search of adventure and inspiring stories to hear and tell…
For a Village Soup article on our CAN adventure, check out this link.
Climate and ocean pollution are interrelated, and they are the two largest problems we have ever faced. Sixteen of the seventeen hottest years on record have occurred since 2001. Sea level is rising and coastal areas are flooding. Droughts, wildfires, and hurricanes are increasing in intensity. And where is the excess heat from global warming stored? In Big Blue. Our oceans have absorbed over 92% of global warming’s excess heat, and phytoplankton, tiny marine plants that produce 50% of the oxygen we breath, are dying (for more information, check out this YaleEnvironment360 link).
So, YES, the problems are big. BUT the GOOD NEWS is that the SOLUTIONS are BIGGER. There is reason for hope. We have the knowledge, technology, and skills to stop polluting and start conserving and protecting what we love. In fact we are doing it:
- Renewable energy is increasing and expected to surpass nuclear by 2020
- Renewable energy is cheaper and more viable than ever with 20,000 solar panels installed every hour
- A growing number of cities and companies are increasing the use of renewables, cities such as San Diego and Salt Lake City have adopted goals to go 100% renewable, while the state of Hawaii and Google have also pledged 100% clean energy
- In 2015, National Parks in the U.S. saw a record number of visitors
- The number and size of marine protected areas is increasing globally
- There is a growing appetite for global action on climate and ocean conservation.
If you are feeling a bit overwhelmed by the challenges we face, check out this 3 minute video on reasons for hope. And stay tuned for future blogs highlighting what people are doing to make a difference, including our first 2017 CAN program in Portland, Maine at the Waynflete School and the University of Southern Maine.
This blog is meant to be interactive, so you are invited to send us your questions, comments, and thoughts. What burning questions, for example, do you have about our climate and the state of our oceans? Do you have an inspiring story to tell? What ideas do you have for action? What would you like to know, share, do? Send your ideas to dave@cellonline.org and we will address them in future blogs.
To subscribe to (or unsubscribe from) these blog posts, write to jonathan@cellonline.org to request blog alerts.
*CELL is currently accepting applications for college sustainability focused study abroad programs, to Iceland, Central America, Ecuador, and Scotland. Faculty may contact CELL regarding custom programs for your college. Go to cellonline.org for more information and to apply.”